Sumo’s Taiho may get honorary prize

The government is considering granting an honorary award to the late yokozuna Taiho in recognition of his historic victory record in the sumo world, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said.

Taiho, who died Jan. 19 of heart disease at age 72, “gave lots of people hope and courage and contributed remarkably to the development of sumo,” Suga said Thursday in explaining the possible conferring of the People’s Honor Award.

The sumo legend, whose real name was Koki Naya, won a record 32 tournaments. The government has also decided to award Taiho posthumously with the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star.